Clärchen and Matthias Baus

Dvořák

Antonín Dvořák was the first Bohemian composer to achieve worldwide recognition and is considered one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. He is known for integrating folk music into his compositions as a distinctive style. While he is primarily known for his symphonies, concerti, and chamber works, Dvořák also composed 10 operas with his most famous Rusalka and the lesser-known Jakobín being featured on OperaVision.

Extract

Frankfurt Opera Studio Soirée

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Song to the moon (Rusalka)

Nombulelo Yende sings ‘Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém’, also known as the ‘Song to the moon’ from the opera Rusalka by Antonín Dvořák. She is accompanied by pianist Yuna Saito.

Behind the scenes

National Theatre Brno

Dvořák's little-known masterpiece

Although Dvořák is a world-renowned composer, his opera Jakobín is little known outside the Czech Republic. According to director Martin Glaser, that is because the libretto is quintessentially Czech, and the music even more so.

Extract

The Jacobin

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The school cantata (Tak ještě jednou serenádu)

Brno Children's Choir sing 'Tak ještě jednou serenádu' ('Once more the serenade') from Dvořák's opera The Jacobin at National Theatre Brno.

Extract

The Jacobin

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The smile of a child (Ten úsměv děcka)

Bass David Szendiuch sings the count's aria 'Ten úsměv děcka' from Dvořák's opera The Jacobin at National Theatre Brno.

Clärchen and Matthias Baus

Extract

Rusalka

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Vidino divná, přesladká

Dutch National Opera presents Rusalka, conducted by Joana Mallwitz and directed by Philipp Stölzl and Philipp M. Krenn. The Prince (Pavel Černoch) sets eyes for the first time on Rusalka, a being from another world, who has been disguised by the spell of the witch Ježibaba. Captivated by a superficial love, the Prince sings to love: Miraculous vision, are you real or a fairytale?

Pumeza Matshikiza - photo: Filip Van Roe

Extract

Rusalka

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Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém (Song to the Moon)

Act I. Rusalka (Pumeza Matshikiza) has fallen in love with a Prince. She asks the moon to tell her love that she is thinking of him. Conducted by Giedrė Šlekytė and directed by Alan Lucien Øyen.

Kyungho Kim - photo: Filip Van Roe

Extract

Rusalka

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Final duet

Act III. The prince (Kyungho Kim) repents and asks Rusalka (Pumeza Matshikiza) for a kiss. She warns him that it will be fatal but the prince insists. After the kiss, he dies in her arms. Rusalka thanks the Prince for letting her experience human love and commends his soul to God. Conducted by Giedrė Šlekytė and directed by Alan Lucien Øyen.

Staatstheater Braunschweig

Extract

Rusalka

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Mladosti své pozbavena

Caught between worlds, neither mermaid nor human woman, Rusalka (Julie Adams) can neither live nor die. She bemoans her fate and in despair wishes for death.

Thomas M. Jauk/Stage Picture

Behind the scenes

Staatstheater Braunschweig

Behind the scenes of Rusalka

Behind the scenes of Rusalka at Staatstheater Braunschweig with soprano Julie Adams, director Dirk Schmeding, image director Götz Filenius, director Isabel Ostermann and conductor Srba Dinić.